Dramatic New 2017 Honda Ridgeline Debuts At The North American International Auto Show

Your Valley Honda Dealers in Phoenix are both proud and excited to introduce you to the new and completely redesigned 2017 Honda Ridgeline pickup truck, which made its world debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit on January 11th.

The new 2017 Ridgeline is literally singing a new tune. One of the many exciting new goodies found on this totally refreshed and redesigned midsize pickup is the auto industry’s first in-bed audio system. More on that later.

The Year Of Honda

Honda’s Automotive Division Executive Vice President, John Mendel, took to the stage at what is commonly known as the Detroit Auto Show to give the assembled news media their first look at this dramatically redesigned new Honda mid-size pickup truck. He was joined by Mr. Takahiro Hachigo, president and CEO of Honda Motor Cars, who commented on the successes and accomplishments of 2015, which was dubbed “The Year of Honda.”

Hachigo stated that 2015 was a banner year for Honda, with the company setting new all-time American sales records with the newly redesigned and award-winning Honda CR-V being the best-selling crossover SUV in the past three years. The pinnacle of this past year’s many accomplishments, Hachigo noted, was the new 2016 Honda Civic being named North American Car of the Year by MotorTrend Magazine. He added that the world debut of the new Ridgeline was part of the most ambitious launch of redesigned automotive products in the industry, as evidenced by the recent launches of the all-new CR-V and HR-V.

2017 Ridgeline Takes The Stage

Honda’s executive VP John Mendel returned to the stage to describe the new 2nd-generation Ridgeline to the assembled audience. He explained that the new Ridgeline’s fresh new look while being based on a more traditional “box” appearance, is nevertheless “cool, tough, and athletic.” Mendel stated, “Make no mistake, this is a real truck with real payload and real cargo capabilities.”

Compliant Car-Like Ride

Mendel noted that a standard truck’s body-on-frame architecture creates problems such as a harsher ride and lack of interior flexibility. In contrast, the Ridgeline’s unibody construction is based on Honda’s global light truck platform and is designed more for a family’s active outdoor lifestyle, rather than exclusively for the job site. Mendel went on to state that Honda chose this path because the company recognized that majority of Ridgeline buyers will spend most of their time on the highway. For this reason, Honda engineers incorporated a fully independent suspension for a more car-like driving experience that emphasizes ride comfort, steering precision, maneuverability, and handling.

Power & Performance

According to Mendel, the new 2017 Honda Ridgeline pickup will be offered with Honda’s powerful and reliable 300-hp, 3.5-liter direct injection i-VTEC V6 engine shared by its stablemate, the 2016 Honda Pilot. He predicted that the new Ridgeline will, therefore, achieve some of the highest fuel economy ratings in a mid-sized truck. He also noted that buyers will have the option of ordering the Ridgeline either as a front-wheel-drive model or with Honda’s excellent i-VTM 4 wheel-drive with Intelligent Terrain Management that lets the driver select from different road characteristics, including show, mud, and sand. He also stated that the Ridgeline will be the only truck in its class to offer active torque vectoring. Honda estimates that payload capacity will approach 1,600 pounds.

Spacious Versatility & Cutting-Edge Technology

Space, versatility, and high-tech features are also three of the new 2017 Ridgeline’s strong suits, explained Mendel. He noted that the new Ridgeline will offer the largest cabin space in the midsize pickup truck segment. Thanks to the Ridgeline’s split folding rear seat and ample under seat storage, the Ridgeline’s interior excels in versatility. Additionally, the Ridgeline will offer Honda’s latest connectivity and safety technology, including Apple Car Play™ and Android Auto™. The Ridgeline will also feature Honda’s advanced Honda Sensing™ suite of driver-assist technologies, including lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, road departure mitigation, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, collision mitigation braking, and a rear multi-angle backup camera.

Exciting New Innovations

The Ridgeline, said Mendel, is the only truck in its segment that offers a flat 5-ft. truck bed that is perfect for hauling such items as drywall and plywood. The new Ridgeline also improves on its class-exclusive dual-action tailgate and its lockable in-bed trunk that disappears underneath a fully flat floor.

Mendel also gave a live demonstration of the world’s first in-bed audio system in a pickup truck. Noting that this new 540-watt system is an example of “good old-fashioned Honda engineering magic,” Mendel explained that the system’s speakers are strategically hidden and thus protected from possible damage. He added that the truck’s eight 350 lb. tie-downs and available 400-watt AC in-bed power outlet make the new 2017 Ridgeline a perfect vehicle for family fun.

As photographers and automotive journalists swarmed the stage for an up-close look at the new 2017 Honda Ridgeline pickup, it’s clear that Honda has once again eclipsed the automotive industry with this exciting, innovative, and groundbreaking new addition to the automaker’s award-winning lineup. Look for the new 2017 Ridgeline to have a starring role in Honda’s upcoming Super Bowl 50 TV spot.

Discover The 2016 Honda Lineup At Your Valley Honda Dealers

While the remarkable new 2017 Honda Ridgeline midsize pickup won’t be hitting showrooms until later this year, your Valley Honda Dealers in Phoenix invite you to experience their award-winning lineup of exciting new 2016 Hondas, such as the critically acclaimed 2016 Honda Civic, the new 2016 Honda Pilot, the new 2016 Accord, and the new 2016 Honda HR-V.

Many of these innovative and award-winning new Hondas, such as the 2016 Honda Accord, winner of Car And Driver Magazine’s “10Best Award” a record 30 times, recently took center stage right here in Phoenix at our own Arizona International Auto Show. Held last November at the Phoenix Convention Center gave thousands of people a chance to closely inspect an array of new vehicles, from high-end exotics and luxury automobiles to SUVs and pickups. As members of the Valley Auto Dealers Association, participating Valley Honda Dealers in Phoenix were proud to have been a part of this important automotive showcase.

Be sure to stop by a Valley Honda Dealer near you and discover why the award-winning lineup of new 2016 Hondas set the standard for quality, reliability, and engineering innovation throughout the world.

Valley Honda Dealers

Welcome to the official website of your Valley Honda Dealers! As an association of local Honda dealerships, we offer a huge selection of new and Certified Pre-Owned Honda models to our customers from Scottsdale to Tempe and all around the Phoenix area. We are proud to be part of a company that is always innovating, and we’re ready to help you find your next versatile and dependable Honda vehicle.

Our site will help you to explore our current Honda models, compare Honda to the competition, and direct you to Honda dealerships in your area, so you can find your perfect Honda in the Valley. No matter which Honda dealership you choose, a friendly team of sales and service professionals is happy to assist you.